Kingmakers and spoilers

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Quotes of the day: Rajnath Singh, BJP president: “By seeing the MPs’ mood, I don’t think this government would gain the vote of confidence in parliament. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should resign himself and prepare for next elections.” Sitaram Yechuri, politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M): “We want to topple the government and have begun discussions to do it.”

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena spokesman: “We are united and would vote against the motion in parliament. We are with NDA (National Democratic Alliance).”

N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telgu Desam Party chief: “Mayawati will play a crucial role in the Third Front, why can’t she be the prime minister?”

M. Veerappa Moily, Congress general secretary: “We have some political inputs that some MPs from the Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena are unhappy and they will abstain.”

Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief: “There is no rift in my party. All our MPs are still with us.”

Shahid Siddiqui, Rajya Sabha MP of Samajwadi Party: “Since last month, I was feeling suffocated in the party. And I was forced to support the (India-US nuclear) deal. This deal is against the Muslims and India. This deal will make us the slave of the US and lead us to darkness.

“On this nuclear deal, the government must go. I am joining BSP because of my conscience and not because of any underhand dealing. I will fight elections under the leadership of behenji (Mayawati).”